Sulawesi - GIS

This bird is among the largest hornbill species and is restricted to the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi and named for the large ridge along the top of its bill that is called a casque (kãsk). Although large, the casque is not heavy or cumbersome. It is not solid, but filled with air chambers. The male and female hornbills differ in coloration. Males have a red casque and a brownish red head and neck. The female is smaller, with a less significant yellow casque and a black head and neck. The large colorful bill in both birds is helpful in reaching fruit on distant branches.

Native Sulawesi and locally known as allo or rangkong is a shy bird, as big as a rooster, and lives in tall trees. It perches on tall trees like fig or trees that bear small fruits, which account for its main diet. Up to 85 percent of its diet are figs, which are available all year round, and rest is insects. In the wild, its diet consists of twelve different species of figs and they have been seen flying over 20 miles in one day in search of fruiting trees. The red-knobbed hornbill plays an important role in preserving the forest. The fruit's seeds do not crush during the digestion process and will emerge again with the bird's droppings. If the hornbill's droppings fall on the land, the seed will grow into a new tree.

Hornbills are known for their unique nesting behavior. They choose a tall tree with a large cavity near the top. The female will lay her eggs in the tree cavity. The entrance is then sealed with droppings and mud and leaving only a small slit to prevent predators (such as the giant civet (Macrogalidia muschenbrcoeki)) from attacking the eggs. It is important that the pair have a strong bond because the female is completely reliant on the male during this time. The male is extremely busy bringing foods to the nest through the slit and often it has been seen returning to the nest up to 20 times in one day. The female will remain enclosed in the nest cavity with the chicks until they are able to fly on their own. The breeding season for the red-knobbed hornbill is between July and September while for Sulawesi's dwarf hornbill it is between April and July.

Hornbills lack the small feathers that cover the base of flight feathers in most birds. The rush of air through their wings creates a whoosh sound when they fly. People belief that if you see a flock of red knobbed hornbills fly and scream in the sky, it means that rain is imminent.

Actually, Sulawesi has two species of hornbill. The other one is Sulawesi dwarf hornbill (oenelopides exarhatus). This hornbill has a smaller beak and body size. Black feathers cover the whole body (for both males and females). The male has a yellow head. This bird, which lives and feeds in the lower canopy, is more rarely sighted.

Besides Togean Island, Lore Lindu National Park, as one of Hornbill’s habitat. Unfortunately, like many other exotic birds elsewhere in Indonesia, the hornbill's population in the park is declining due to unchecked poaching, local environmentalists have reported. Indeed, illegal land clearing and logging which continue in many parts of the national park are threatening the priceless flora and fauna. As of 2001, the park has lost about 10 percent of its original 299,000 hectares.

At present, the magnificent bird is easily sighted in many parts of the national park. Among places that are their favorite to flock to are Kalimpaa lake and Lindu Lake, where you can see over a dozen red-knobbed hornbill flying across the lake, if you are lucky.

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